By Carl Wilson, Horticulture Agent, Colorado State University
Cooperative Extension, Denver County

Agastache rupestris, sunset hyssop, is a challenging plant to artfully incorporate into
the perennial border. The plant reaches 24" in height, has a rootbeer aroma, and is a
southwestern native. Until bloom, its finely dissected foliage is easily lost among other
plants. Its unusual orange flower color is hard to mix with other plants. Flower buds and
the necks of open orange blooms are an unusual, deep violet color.

An effective plant combination is to match it with Aster x frikartii,
Frikart's
aster, also often known as 'Wonder of Stafa' aster. This reliable plant has been
called one of the ten best perennials by some. It has gray-green leaves that complement
the gray color of the hyssop foliage. Better yet, the violet-blue color of the aster
flowers complements the violet-colored necks of the orange hyssop flowers.

Additional plants to incorporate into this planting could include Salvia argentea, Silver sage, for the texture given by its broad leaves with their
silver-white hairs. For variety, Calamagrostis x acutiflora, Feather
reed grass, adds interest with its erect, tawny- colored, wheat-like flower spikes in
late summer.

This flower grouping will come into bloom in early August and bloom until frost.